usaid climate ready

GESI Mainstreaming Checklist for Climate Finance Projects – USAID Climate Ready 1

USAID CLIMATE READYKNOWLEDGE PRODUCTS

Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming Checklist for Screening Climate Finance Proposals

May 2021

This document was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by DT Global for the USAID Climate Ready Project, Contract Number AID 492-H-17-00001.


Prepared by:

DT Global

Adapted from materials developed by:

Colleen Peacock-Taylor and Aliti Vunisea, USAID Climate Ready Project GESI Specialists

Cover Photo

Arieta Sokota

Cover Photo Caption

Fishing boat approaching the town of London on Kiritimati Island in the Line Islands group of Kiribati.

Disclaimer:

This document is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of DT Global and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

USAID CLIMATE READYKNOWLEDGE PRODUCTS

Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming Checklist for Screening Climate Finance Proposals


Glossary of Terms........................................................................................................................................... 4Introduction....................................................................................................................................................... 61.What is GESI Mainstreaming..................................................................................................................... 72. Why address GESI in Climate Finance projects?.................................................................................. 83. What are some common GESI misconceptions?.................................................................................. 94. GESI Mainstreaming Checklist for Climate Finance Proposals....................................................... 10Annex 1: GESI Mainstreaming Checklist.................................................................................................. 11

TABLE OF CONTENTS


“Disability” refers to “those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others” (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)

“Gender” refers to the social roles, responsibilities, behaviors, attitudes and identities assigned to men, women, boys and girls as a consequence of social, cultural and historical factors as opposed to biological or sexual differences.

“Gender budgeting”

(also referred to as gender-sensitive or -responsive budgeting) means preparing budgets or doing budget analyses from a gender perspective. The goal of gender budgeting is to address gender inequality by allocating resources in ways that reduce or compensate for gender disparities. Gender budgeting does not necessarily mean developing separate budgets for women and men.

“Gender equality”

means that women and men enjoy the same status. Gender equality means that women and men have equal conditions for realizing their full human rights and potential to contribute to political, economic, social and cultural development, locally, nationally and internationally, and to benefit from the results. Sameness of treatment and opportunity does not necessarily ensure equality in outcomes. Therefore, gender equality must be accompanied by equity.

“Gender equity”

refers to the process of being fair to women and men according to their respective needs. This may include equal treatment or treatment that is different, but which is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations and opportunities. In the development context, a gender equity goal often requires built-in measures to compensate for historical and social disadvantages of women.

“Gender Equity and Social Inclusion”

(GESI) is a methodology for examining the causes and consequences of inequality in terms of gender, caste, faith, ethnicity and other “intersectionalities”. Drawing on gender analysis frameworks, it takes into account differences in roles, responsibilities, rights, decision-making, and access to resources to better understand disparities (from the Green Climate Fund GESI Policy).

GLOSSARY OF TERMS


VANUATU – YOUNG WOMEN FISHING ALONG THE COASTLINE IN OLPOE, SANTO ISLAND (CREDIT: NIKI KUAUTONGA).

“Gender/GESI mainstreaming”

refers to a globally accepted strategy for promoting gender equality/GESI that can be applied in different ways: (i) as a strategy for integrating gender issues into existing development policies, programs and activities of government; and (ii) as a means of agenda setting which implies transformation of the existing development agenda using a gendered perspective. These two concepts are not exclusive and actually work best in combination to ensure equity and equality of outcomes.

“Gender-sensitive”

refers to raising awareness and consideration of gender norms, roles and relations but does not necessarily address inequality generated by unequal norms, roles or relations through remedial action beyond creating gender awareness.

“GESI analysis” is a methodology for examining the causes and consequences of inequality based on gender, age, ethnicity, ability, religion, political orientation, social status, occupation, sexual orientation etc., and the differences in roles, rights, responsibilities, decision-making and access to information, services and other resources. A GESI analysis is the basis for developing a GESI Action Plan.

“Resilience” to climate change can be understood as: (i) the capacity to absorb shocks and maintain function in the face of stresses caused by climate change; and (2) adapt and evolve into more sustainable socio-economic behaviors, leading people to be better prepared for the adverse effects of climate change (GCF GESI Policy).

“Social inclusion”

refers to the process of improving the terms for individuals and groups to take part in society, and the process of improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity to take part in society.


USAID Climate Ready Project

USAID Climate Ready is a five-year regional project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by DT Global, a United States-based institutional contractor with worldwide experience implementing environment programs.

The Project works in 11 Pacific Island Countries (PICs): Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

USAID Climate Ready works with PIC governments and other stakeholders to prioritize areas of support that align with their climate and disaster resilience plans and goals to: (1) draft and implement policies that achieve national adaptation goals; (2) access and utilize international sources of climate financing; and (3) improve systems and expertise to better manage and monitor adaption projects.

Background to this Tool

This GESI Mainstreaming Checklist for Climate Finance Projects is adapted from materials developed by USAID Climate Ready GESI Specialists working with partners across the South Pacific under the USAID Climate Ready Project, including Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati and Samoa.

Purpose of this Tool

The aim of this tool is to provide a simple and concise resource for Direct Access Entities and National Designated Authorities to the Green Climate Fund (and similar climate financers) on:• what GESI mainstreaming is and why climate finance projects need to address GESI;• some of the common misconceptions around GESI; and • how organizations can assess if GESI is being effectively mainstreamed in climate finance

projects, as well as identify issues of non-compliance and areas for additional action.

INTRODUCTION


Gender refers to the social roles, responsibilities, behaviors, attitudes and identities assigned to men, women, boys and girls as a consequence of social, cultural and historical factors as opposed to biological or sexual differences.

Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) takes into account differences including and beyond gender in roles, responsibilities, rights, decision-making and access to resources to better understand disparities. It is a way of examining the causes and consequences of inequity and exclusion in terms of gender, caste, faith, ethnicity and other “intersectionalities”.

GESI mainstreaming is a globally accepted strategy for promoting GESI. It aims to ensure that GESI perspectives and attention to gender/GESI outcomes is central to all activities including planning, research, policy and program development, resource allocation, activity implementation and project monitoring and evaluation.

The goal of GESI mainstreaming is to institutionalize GESI considerations at government, sector, agency, program, project and activity level. PIC governments and aid agencies have adopted Gender or GESI mainstreaming as their key strategy to achieve climate and sustainable development outcomes.

1. WHAT IS GENDER MAINSTREAMING


There are a number of reasons for addressing GESI in climate finance projects.

• Climate change impacts are not gender neutral. Global research and experience have shown that the burden falls disproportionately on groups such as the poor, the rural and remote, the elderly, women, children and people with disabilities – that is, those groups with limited access to and power over decision making processes.

• GESI mainstreaming is essential to effective climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. There is strong global evidence that climate change adaptation and disaster risk management initiatives are more sustainable, equitable and effective when gender and social inclusion factors are fully mainstreamed in project design, implementation and monitoring. Gender relations, roles and responsibilities can significantly influence women and men’s access to and control over information, decisions, assets and resources which, in turn, impact how development benefits are shared.

• Climate change is a threat multiplier and a risk multiplier. Climate change exacerbates the circumstances that lead to conflict and violence, and it contributes to crop failure, water insecurity, spread of disease, reduced education outcomes, lost livelihoods and increased poverty. For example, many of the main killers of children (malaria, diarrhea and under nutrition) are highly sensitive to climate conditions.

• Women and youth are key agents of change. It is important to see vulnerable groups of people - including women, youth and people with disabilities - not as climate victims, but as important agents of social and environmental change. This also helps to increase the effectiveness of projects.

• The main climate financers (e.g. Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, Global Environment Facility, Climate Investment Funds, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank) have GESI mainstreaming requirements. They require all proposals to demonstrate how projects will address gender and social inequalities through climate action, and/or to identify possible GESI-related risks and integrate adequate safeguards. These funders also require:

o Proposed gender/GESI plans, strategies and approaches to be aligned with national and/or institutional gender/GESI policies.

o Proposals to include gender/GESI baseline data;o National Designated Authorities and accredited entities to have staff with gender

expertise; ando Proposed project budgets to allocate resources for gender/social inclusion

experts and activities.

2. WHY ADDRESS GESI IN CLIMATE FINANCE PROJECTS?


There are a number of misconceptions that can slow GESI progress, and it is important to be aware of them. A few of these misconceptions are outlined below, drawn from the The Pacific Gender and Climate Change Toolkit published in 2015 by The Pacific Community (SPC)1.

Misconception 1: Gender equality/equity is all about women and projects focusing on women.

• Fact: Gender equality/equity is about women and men. There are differences as well as similarities between men and women in terms of their roles, responsibilities, access to resources and decision making. Understanding this will help to identify the types of inequalities and inequities that can act as barriers so that better strategies for adaptation and resilience can be developed. Some programs and projects may focus specifically on women because women may already be disadvantaged and require additional support. For example, women subsistence farmers may require targeted training and support because existing agricultural extension services may have targeted only men in the past.

Misconception 2: We should not question women’s roles and men’s roles, as this is part of our Pacific culture and traditions.

• Fact: Cultures change and evolve over time. Women’s and men’s roles today are not the same as 50 years ago. Cultural change is happening everywhere, including in the Pacific Island Countries. As a result of social, economic and political factors such as globalization, urbanization and education, many Island women are now engaged in paid employment and some have moved away from their traditional roles (e.g. child-rearing and looking after the elderly). Understanding the dynamic context in which culture shapes the roles of men and women can help us identify opportunities to strengthen both.

Misconception 3: Women cannot make decisions at community level.Culture dictates participation in decision making and in many cases across the Pacific, these decision-making bodies are for men.

• Fact: There are many entry points and in-roads. Even where there are restrictive cultural norms that disallow women from participating in decision-making forums in communities, there are entry points which can be utilized to ensure that women can participate.

1 Access the toolkit here: https://www.pacificclimatechange.net/document/pacific-gender-climate-change-toolkit-complete-toolkit.

3. WHAT ARE SOME COMMON GESI MISCONCEPTIONS?


Annex A provides a sample tool for assessing the extent to which GESI is being mainstreamed in climate finance projects. This tool aims to build the GESI analysis capacity of the organizations and institutions that use/adapt it.

Using the checklist will help to identify which GESI areas require additional effort and action. If any additional measures are needed (i.e. responses to the checklist questions are “No”), then the tool allows space to list those measures, as well as assign responsibility and a timeline against the additional measures required.

In this way, this GESI checklist also forms the basis of an action plan that can be taken forward to ensure fuller GESI mainstreaming.

4. GESI MAINSTREAMING CHECKLIST FOR CLIMATE FINANCE PROPOSALS


ANNEX 1: GESI MAINSTREAMING CHECKLIST

Checklist Yes/No

If No, what additional measures are required?

By Whom (Responsibility)

By When (Timeline)

Project Inception (Concept Note)1 Did development of the concept note

involve consultation with representatives of all stakeholder groups (i.e., women, men, youth, people with disabilities) and/or their organizations (i.e., women/youth groups, disability associations)?

2 Does the project concept note include gender, equity and social inclusion issues and explain how the project will benefit marginalized or vulnerable groups?

3 Does the concept note adhere to human rights and GESI principles?

Project Design4 Does the design demonstrate real

understanding of impacts of climate change and disasters on different vulnerable groups gained through participatory consultations with women, men, youth and people with disabilities in target areas?

5 Does the design adequately consider the impacts of the project on people’s current roles, responsibilities and workloads?

6 Will the project contribute to empowering women and other vulnerable groups?

7 Does the design identify strategies to promote and support women and other vulnerable groups in leadership and decision-making positions?

8 Does the design identify gender targets and strategies to ensure equitable participation in project activities?

9 Have potential negative consequences for disadvantaged groups been carefully assessed including damage to family, community or organizational relations?


Checklist Yes/No

If No, what additional measures are required?

By Whom (Responsibility)

By When (Timeline)

10 Does the design identify GESI-related risks and mitigation strategies?

11 Will the project contribute to increasing the capacity of women, youth, and disability organizations to respond to the impacts of climate change and disasters?

12 Does the design identify how the project will collaborate with organizations representing women, youth, people with disabilities, workers associations, etc.?

13 Does the design include a GESI budget and sufficient financial resources to achieve GESI outcomes?

14 Does the design include a strategy and resources to build GESI capacity among project staff and stakeholders?

15 Does the design include GESI indicators and GESI sensitive data collection methods for all proposed activities?

16 Does the design align with international & national GESI-related standards and targets (i.e., Sustainable Development Goals; Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; National climate change gender, youth and disability policies)?


Project Implementation17 Are women, men, youth and

people with disabilities actively and equitably engaged in project planning, implementation and review processes?

18 Are women, men, youth and people with disabilities actively and equitably engaged in project planning, implementation and review processes?

19 Are project staff trained in GESI-sensitive analysis and approaches and do they have the necessary skills to be effective in this area?

20 Is GESI technical assistance utilized and/or available to project staff and stakeholders as required?

21 Does the project consistently produce documented evidence of free, prior and informed consent from stakeholders?

22 Does the staff composition model gender balance at all levels?

23 Does the project governance body model GESI principles through equitable representation of women and men and key beneficiary groups?

Project Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)24 Does the project M&E Framework

include specific GESI indicators and targets?

25 Does the project consistently gather and analyze sex/age/disability disaggregated data and use this information to improve practice?

26 Does the project provide regular reports to the Board, donors, Executing Agency staff and beneficiaries on GESI achievements, constraints and lessons?


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